This edition of "Follow the Money" is written by guest columnist Bryan Warner, director of communications for the N.C. Center for Voter Education.
Jan. 9, 2006
Resolved to Shape Up N.C. Politics
By Bryan Warner
RALEIGH – “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in,” author Bill Vaughan once wrote. “A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
Depending on your point of view, 2005 was a year plagued by shady political dealings, embodied by gaming lobbyists working covertly to shape the new state lottery. Or it provided a glimmer of hope, such as with meaningful lobbying reform approved by the General Assembly.
But Y2K-plus-five is now history, and while many of us have made (and already broken) a laundry list of our own New Year's resolutions, here are some goals to whip Tar Heel politics into shape for this next spin around the sun:
1. Implement lobby reform now.
Fortunately, sagacious legislators approved lobbying reform this past summer. Unfortunately, the new laws aren't slated to go into effect for another year.
But with lottery scandals thrust into the spotlight, a new House ethics committee will take a look at the lobbying process, warts and all.
"With this committee's backing, state legislators can toughen up and implement earlier the lobbying reform changes set to begin in January 2007,” says Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause N.C.
Among Phillips' recommendations for 2006 are requiring lobbyists to report what they spend on lawmakers even when not discussing legislation, creating a “no-gift registry” whereby legislators can signal their refusal of any lobbyist perks, and barring lobbyists from taking any job in legislative campaigns.
2. Support the Public Campaign Fund.
In 2004, other states saw their Supreme Court contests mired in a mudslide of attack ads and a flood of special interest cash. But it wasn't so in North Carolina.
Tar Heel voters can thank the Public Campaign Fund for keeping our state's courts out of the muck. And this tax season, we'll have the chance to show our appreciation by saying yes to an option on our state income tax forms. Saying yes won't increase our taxes or reduce our refund. It's simply a way for the state to gauge support for the program and fund it accordingly.
In addition to allowing potential judges to reject entangling private money, the Public Campaign Fund pays for a voter guide featuring all candidates vying for the N.C. Supreme Court or N.C. Court of Appeals.
The 2004 guide reached the homes of nearly 4 million voters across the state, and no doubt helped many of them realize that state Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker is not “that actress married to Ferris Bueller.”
3. Pass the Voter-Owned Elections Act.
After last year's marathon legislative session spanned nearly three seasons, lawmakers will return rested (but still weary) to Raleigh in May for a “short session.”
While they no doubt will have a lot on their plate, and want to leave town before they get indigestion, it would be a shame if legislators took off before taking up the Voter-Owned Elections Act.
With bipartisan support in both chambers, the bill would build on the successes of judicial campaign financing to create a similar program for Council of State contests. The proposal would include these down-ticket candidates in the state voter guide, which is just what voters need.
In fact, a study commissioned last year by the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Voter Education (NCCVE) found that the number-one reason why folks don't vote in our state is for lack of information on candidates.
“The Voter-Owned Elections Act would go a long way to empower voters with the facts they need to cast a well-informed ballot,” says NCCVE Executive Director Chris Heagarty.
4. Beat the mid-term voting slump.
Over 60 percent of registered Tar Heel voters went to the polls for the 2004 election – a near record. But without a race for the White House, U.S. Senate or Governor's Mansion to generate heat, Election Day 2006 is in danger of being a big bust when it comes to voter turnout.
Still, there are key statewide races for the N.C. Supreme Court and N.C. Court of Appeals (those folks with that little job of interpreting our state's constitution), along with legislative contests deciding control of the General Assembly for the next two years.
We've seen brave Iraqi men and women defiantly emerging from polling stations with purple fingers to wag at the threat of violence. Perhaps back home in North Carolina we'll risk line-up-and-wait, if not life-and-limb, and cast a ballot this year.
The list of resolutions could go on, and goodness knows Tar Heel politics needs to kick some unhealthy habits. But from the testimony of others, and personal experience, I've learned it's a lot of work making and breaking resolutions.
Besides, F.M. Knowles said it well: “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.”
Bryan Warner is the director of communications for the Raleigh-based N.C. Center for Voter Education, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter awareness and participation.
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